How should my coolant "ACT"?

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Like... im wondering if this activity is normal for coolant.

Ive had problems with hoses bursting. Im assuming the pressure in my coolant system is building and the cap is not venting it off... but im wondering what could cause the system to build this much pressure in the 1st place. I just got done replacing the 3rd coolant line in 2 weeks, so after I refilled my coolant system, i let the car run and reach operational temperature.

Everything seemed normal, until it warmed up and then it seemed to be pushing coolant out of the system instead of sucking it in, or leaving it at a normal level. If I revved the motor it would push coolant out faster, and after letting it idle again i would see it gurgle and then the level would drop. I then add more coolant and repeat the process. It seems if the car idles everything is fine, but if you rev the motor the coolant level rises and the coolant tank overflows... the coolant keeps flowing out of the tank until i let off the gas and it then stops. If the radiator fans kick on, immediately the coolant level drops and then I am forced to refill the coolant tank.

Mind you, this is all on a 1993 Turbo Wagon, so the radiator has no cap, the only way to fill the system is through the coolant resivoir.

I thought my radiator cap was faulty, so I bought another one. This one has a lever that you pull to vent the system before you remove the cap. It is also rated at 13lbs instead of 16lbs like my old one. So i filled the system, put the cap back on and took the car for a test drive around the block. Didnt go far, but I made sure to flog it as if I were driving on city streets. Getting the revs up into the 4000rpm range.

When I got home I removed the cap from the Overflow tank, and lifted the lever on the cap for the resivoir. The level on the overflow tank immediatly started to rise and overflow... then as soon as the pressure had been released I removed the cap on the resivoir and noticed it was real low. So I filled it and as soon as it reached full, the car started to gurgle and the coolant began to overflow from the resivoir.

So yeah... i dont know if this is normal or not. But Im sure if its building pressure this fast, driving it 1hr each way from home to work is enough to blow another line. And I kinda expect to be replacing my 4th coolant line next weekend

Whats everyone think?
-Brian

[gto7419]

I would guess that you have air in the system...

This is assuming all of your hoses are running in the correct direction of flow.... (everythings hooked up right).

[ej22t kid]

I faught this for a long time and it turnned out to be a head gasket. so you may have a shop test it out.

A little trick is using a large funnel in the filler tank and let it come to temp. Add water as needed and wait. if it still bubble then its doomed

[Imprezive]

So yeah... i dont know if this is normal or not.
-Brian

Of course is isn't normal, why the hell would your coolant system blowing hoses right and left be called "normal". Sorry, I had to.

But down to the nitty-gritty. If you don't have air in the system, and your engine shows no signs of a blown/cracked head gasket it might have something to do with a clog in the coolant system.

Maybe there is something wrong with your thermostat?

Edit: To add to what ej22t kid was saying; using a large funnel (or preferably a funnel with a stopper in it that is made for this sort of thing) and sticking it in the coolant reservior, filling it full of water and letting your car run and reach its normal operating tempurature should push any air out of the system since the funnel full of water would now be the highest point in the coolingt system.

[thehookeup]

stuck thermostat with air in the system will show you exact same thing as you are describing. bleed the system of air. then try it again